Roberta Aguirre
The old Austin airport was called Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. It was Austin's original air hub and was located four miles northeast of downtown Austin. The airport was busy during World War II and later became congested, leading to the consideration of building a new airport as early as 1971. Robert Mueller Municipal Airport's commercial service ended on May 21, 1999, and it was replaced by the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Robert Mueller Municipal Airport |
| Location | Four miles NE of downtown Austin |
| Size | 711 acres |
| Owner | City of Austin |
| Named After | Robert Mueller, an Austin city commissioner who died in 1927 |
| Commercial Service Ended | 21 May 1999 |
| Replaced By | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport |
| IATA Code | AUS |
| Terminal Designed By | Fehr & Granger |
| Terminal Features | Centralized outdoor court, waiting lounge, concourse, control tower |
| Awards | "Runner-up to the First Design Award" by Architecture Magazine |
Explore related products
$7.29 $12.99
What You'll Learn
- The old airport was called Robert Mueller Municipal Airport
- It was replaced by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
- The new airport was built on the site of Bergstrom Air Force Base
- The old airport's control tower was preserved and restored
- The airport was named after Robert Mueller, an Austin city commissioner
The old airport was called Robert Mueller Municipal Airport
The old airport in Austin was called Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. The airport was named after Robert Mueller, a city commissioner who died in 1927. It was officially dedicated on October 14, 1930, and its main terminal building was dedicated on May 27, 1961. The airport was busy during World War II, handling commercial flights, private pilots, and students in the Civilian Pilot Training Program at the University of Texas. In 1942, a building originally intended for a flying school was repurposed as the new passenger terminal, and the airport's first air traffic control tower was built on top of it.
By the 1950s, airport traffic had increased significantly, and the terminal was struggling to cope with the strain. As a result, officials initiated an expansion project, lengthening the main runway and constructing a new passenger terminal and control tower. In 1968, the first flight outside of Austin departed from the airport, operated by Braniff International Airways to Washington Dulles Airport. By 1980, every major carrier in the US was operating flights to and from Robert Mueller, and in 1981, the airport handled more than one million people.
However, as Austin's population grew, the airport became landlocked, surrounded by housing and businesses. The facility became congested, and there were concerns about plane crashes occurring in the vicinity. As a result, the city began considering options for a new airport as early as 1971. Robert Mueller Municipal Airport's commercial service ended on May 21, 1999, and it was replaced by the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which opened to the public on May 23, 1999. The old airport's control tower has been preserved and restored due to its iconic status, and the land has been redeveloped into a mixed-use development containing homes, commercial real estate, and multiple parks.
Best Airports for Anna Maria Island Getaways
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was replaced by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
The old airport in Austin was called Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. It was the city's original air hub and was located on 711 acres of land in the middle of Austin. The airport was named after Robert Mueller, an Austin city commissioner who died in 1927, three years before the airport's official dedication.
As Austin's population grew, the airport became landlocked, surrounded by housing and businesses. This, along with several plane crashes in the vicinity, led the city to contemplate building a new airport as early as 1971. The Federal Aviation Administration initially proposed that Austin and San Antonio build a joint regional airport, but this idea was rejected by Austinites.
In 1999, Robert Mueller Municipal Airport was replaced by the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, located on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base. The base was named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, an officer who was the first person from Austin to be killed in World War II.
The new airport is located about 5 miles southeast of downtown Austin and covers 4,242 acres. It features two runways and three helipads, with the Barbara Jordan passenger terminal offering 24 gates with jet bridges and one gate without. The terminal building reuses a structure from the former air force base, with added outdoor waiting areas and a food truck retail area.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, also known as ABIA, is the third busiest airport in Texas and the 27th busiest in the United States by passenger traffic. It has undergone expansions to accommodate the rapid growth in travel demand, with further developments planned as part of the "Journey With AUS" program.
Santa Barbara Airport: Location and Travel Tips
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The new airport was built on the site of Bergstrom Air Force Base
The old airport in Austin, Texas, was called Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. It was dedicated on October 14, 1930, and was named after Robert Mueller, an Austin city commissioner who died in 1927. By 1980, every major carrier in the US was operating flights to and from the airport. However, by the 1970s, issues with the airport emerged. It was surrounded by housing and businesses, and plane crashes had occurred in the area. The facility was congested, and its airspace overlapped with that of the nearby Bergstrom Air Force Base.
As Austin was quickly outgrowing the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, the city began considering options for a new airport as early as 1971. In 1976, a proposal was submitted to the United States Air Force for the joint use of Bergstrom Air Force Base, but this was rejected as being too disruptive to the Air Force's operations.
The new airport, Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, was built on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The base was named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, an officer who was the first person from Austin to be killed in World War II. The transformation of the military base into a commercial airport began after receiving passing grades from the Federal Aviation Administration and with the support of Austin residents and the City Council. The new airport opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with a 12,250-foot runway, one of the nation's longest commercial runways.
The terminal building at the new airport reused a structure from the Bergstrom Air Force Base, adding outdoor waiting areas and a food truck retail area. The new airport also features two runways and three helipads, covering 4,242 acres. The former site of Robert Mueller Municipal Airport has been redeveloped into a mixed-use community with homes, commercial real estate, and multiple parks.
Manchester Airport: Navigating the Efficiently-Gated Transport Hub
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The old airport's control tower was preserved and restored
The old Austin airport, Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, ceased commercial operations on May 21, 1999, and was replaced by the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The control tower of the old airport, constructed in 1961, has been carefully preserved and restored, respecting the wishes of the local community, who wanted to retain this iconic structure. The tower offers a unique view of the Texas State Capitol, which is protected by state and local laws from obstruction by tall buildings. This view has been designated as one of the Capitol View Corridors.
The preservation of the control tower is a testament to the airport's history and its significance in the city's development. The Robert Mueller Municipal Airport played a crucial role in Austin's aviation landscape for several decades. During World War II, the airport was bustling with activity, accommodating commercial flights, private pilots, and students from the Civilian Pilot Training Program at the University of Texas. The airport also served as a practice site for trainees landing Douglas C-47s due to congestion at the nearby Del Valle Army Air Base.
As Austin's population expanded and the city evolved into a high-tech hub, the limitations of the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport became evident. The airport was surrounded by residential and commercial areas, and its airspace overlapped with the neighbouring Bergstrom Air Force Base. Safety concerns arose due to plane crashes occurring in the vicinity. Additionally, the facility faced congestion issues, struggling to accommodate heavier and faster aircraft.
In the 1970s, discussions about relocating the airport gained momentum, and in 1999, the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened, replacing Robert Mueller Municipal Airport as Austin's main aviation hub. Despite the closure of the old airport, the control tower stands as a reminder of Austin's aviation history, and its preservation ensures that this important landmark continues to be a part of the city's evolving landscape.
The redevelopment of the old airport site, known as the \"Mueller\" community, began in 2007 and is expected to be a long-term project. The site has been transformed into a mixed-use development, featuring residences, commercial spaces, and multiple parks. Approximately 20 acres and 10,000 square feet of hangar buildings from the old airport have been converted into sound stages, now known as Austin Studios, housing various film and production companies.
Exploring Maui: Exciting Activities Near the Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport was named after Robert Mueller, an Austin city commissioner
The old Austin airport was called the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. It was named after Robert Mueller, an Austin city commissioner who died in 1927. The airport was originally proposed in the 1928 Austin City Plan, which laid out plans for the development of housing, major industries, larger streets, and an airport in Southeast Austin. The site for the airport was recommended by Claire Chennault, who later became famous with the World War II "Flying Tigers." Chennault suggested the Matthews farm tract, four miles northeast of downtown Austin, and the airport was officially dedicated on October 14, 1930.
Over the years, the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport became a busy hub, with commercial flights, private pilots, and students in the Civilian Pilot Training Program at the University of Texas all using the facility. In 1942, a building originally intended for a flying school was repurposed as the airport's passenger terminal, and the first air traffic control tower was built on top of it. By the 1950s, airport traffic had increased significantly, and the terminal was straining to handle the growing number of passengers. As a result, officials initiated an expansion project, lengthening the main runway and constructing a new passenger terminal and control tower.
However, by the 1970s, the airport faced several issues. It was surrounded by housing and businesses, and there had been plane crashes in the vicinity. The facility was congested, and its airspace overlapped with that of the nearby Bergstrom Air Force Base. These factors led the city to consider building a new airport to replace the aging Mueller. In 1999, the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport was replaced by the new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and its commercial services ceased operations.
Despite its closure, some remnants of the old airport remain. The control tower, for instance, has been preserved and restored due to its iconic status. Additionally, about 20 acres and 10,000 square feet of hangar buildings have been converted into sound stages and renamed Austin Studios, housing several Austin-based film and production companies. The land that once housed the airport has also been redeveloped into a mixed-use community, with homes, commercial spaces, and multiple parks.
Doha Airport: Sleeping Pods for Weary Travelers?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The old Austin airport was called the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport.
By the 1970s, the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport was becoming congested, and there were concerns about plane crashes occurring in the vicinity. The airport was surrounded by housing and businesses, and its airspace overlapped with that of the neighbouring Bergstrom Air Force Base.
The Austin–Bergstrom International Airport opened to the public on 23 May 1999.
